Exploring the usefulness of the SchoolWeavers Tool in the Whole-School Evaluation process in South Africa

Purpose This study explored how the SchoolWeavers Tool could enhance South Africa’s Whole-School Evaluation process and support South African school leaders in creating school learning ecosystems that facilitate learner success, offering a diagnostic assessment tool enabling educational leaders to assess school culture from multiple perspectives. The research sought to define a learning ecosystem from the perspective of South African school leaders, evaluate how data obtained from the SchoolWeavers Tool could enable school leaders to transform their schools into learning ecosystems and collate practical recommendations for use as a leadership resource. Design/methodology/approach Through mixed methods study, a theoretical framework was proposed against which the data gathered through the SchoolWeavers Tool could be used to evaluate the school learning ecosystem. Literature review focused on bioecological and complexity theory, school culture within learning ecosystems, complexity leadership theory and previous studies on the SchoolWeavers Tool. Findings The implementation of the tool resulted in deep reflection by educational leaders, individual and organisational learning, and allowed for a quantitative 360-degree assessment of various qualitative aspects of a learning ecosystem. Research limitations/implications Educational leaders could utilise learnings from the SchoolWeavers Tool to draw upon social capital at their disposal, strategize and prioritise individual and organisational learning. Practical implications The SchoolWeavers Tool could be used in South Africa to enhance the Whole-School Evaluation process, supporting learning ecosystem development to facilitate learners’ success. Originality/value The SchoolWeavers Tool offers a novel approach to support South Africa’s efforts towards whole school improvement, and improved learning outcomes for the country.